Health Ministry Has Not Yet Taken Decision On Covid-19 Jabs For 12-14 Age Group: Report

The news comes a day after NITAG chairman Dr NK Arora said India might start vaccinating 12-14 years of children against Covid-19 from March this year as the 15-18 population

New Delhi: With people eagerly waiting for the vaccination to start for the age group 12-14 years, the Union health ministry has yet not taken any decision on this. Going by the sources of the news agency ANI, the Union health ministry has not taken any decision on this front.

The development comes a day after Dr NK Arora, head of the NTAGI COVID-19 working committee, said that India might start vaccinating 12-14 years of children against Covid-19 from March this year as the 15-18 population will likely get fully vaccinated by then.

“Adolescents in this age group have been actively participating in the inoculation process, and going by this pace of vaccination, the rest of the beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are likely to be covered with the first dose by January-end and subsequently their second dose is expected to be done by February-end," he had said, according to the news agency PTI.

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In view of the covid-19 vaccination, a minor has reached out to Delhi High Court asking to direct the Centre and authorities concerned to give a road map for Covid-19 vaccination for children below 12 years of age.

Senior Advocate Kailash Vasudev, appearing for a minor petitioner on Monday, submitted that no road map has been given by the government for vaccinating children aged 12 and below, according to the news agency ANI. The road map is only provided for those who are 15-18 years old, added the petitioner.

India started the Covid vaccination drive for the 15-18 age group from January 3 this year.

Union health minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday informed that over 3.5 crore children between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so far in the country.

"Amazing enthusiasm among Young India for COVID-19 vaccination. Over 3.5 crore children between the 15-18 Age group have received 1st dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, since 3rd January. Congratulations to all my young friends who have got vaccinated,"Mandaviya had said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, India’s cumulative vaccination coverage on Tuesday exceeded 158.04 crores, as nearly 80 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours, said the health ministry.